Mississippi Tombstone Symbols & their Meanings

If you have information about a tombstone symbol that is not on our list, please let us know.

Acorns - Power; Authority; Victory. Often seen on military graves.

Alpha and Omega - The beginning and the end.

Anchor - Hope; Steadfastness.

Anchor, Sextant, & Cross Staff - Could mean the person was a Mariner.

Anchor with Crossed Canons - Confederate States Navy.

Anchor with Chain or Rope - Emblem of the United States Navy.

Anchors, Double with Shield - United States Coast Guard.

Angels - Spirituality; Guardians of the tomb.

Angel, Flying - Rebirth; Resurrection.

Angel, Praying - Advocate asking God for mercy on behalf of the deceased.

Angel, Trumpeting - Rebirth; Resurrection.

Arch - Victory in death; Door to Salvation.

Arches, Double Stone - Being Rejoined in Heaven With Partner.

Arrow(s) - Mortality; Death.

Axe, Knife, & Cleaver - Could mean the person was a Butcher.

Awl, Knife, & Nippers - Could mean the person was a Shoemaker or Cobbler.

Barber Bowl & Razor - Could mean the person was a Barber.

Bee Flying with Gun - Seabees (US Navy)

Beehive - Symbol of Mormonism; Masonic symbol of productivity.

Bells & Doves - Marriage.

Bellflower - Gratitude

Bible - The Holy Bible is often found on the tombstones of Christians.

Bird - Eternal Life.

Bird Flying - Ressurection.

Books, Holy - Often found on the tombstones of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Two books indicate the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Three books represent the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Books, with or without Apple - Could mean the person was a Teacher.

Book, Open - Book of Life.

Butterfly - Shortened life.

Candle (snuffed) - Loss of Life.

Candle, Burning - Everlasting Life.

Castle - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Chain, Broken Links of - Death of a Spouse.

Chain, Three Links - Grand United Order of Oddfellows

Chalice - Sacrement.

Cherubs - Innocence.

Chi Rho - The first two letters, X (chi) & P (rho) in the Greek word for Christ.

Child, Sleeping - Grave of a young child; Not dead, just sleeping.

Circle of Leaves - The Circle (Womens auxillary - Woodmen of the World)

Clover, Four-Leaf - The 4H Club.

Coffin - Mortality.

Column, Broken - Decay / Loss of the Head of the Family

Compass & Square - Masons.

Corn, Stalk of - Could mean the person was a Farmer.

Coulter (hoe) - Could mean the person was a Farmer.

Crescent - Muslum faith.

Cross - General Symbol of Christianity. Represents the Ressurection to many Christian religions.

Cross with Crown - In Mississippi it is usually a Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord.

Cross with Flames - Symbol of the Methodist Religion.

Cross with Jesus Christ - The Crucifixion; The Sacrifice of Christ.

Cross, Bontonee - The Trinity.

Cross, Celtic or Irish - Episcopalians call this the Celtic Cross, while Catholics call it the Irish Cross. Often used to denote the graves of Monks or Priests.

Cross, Crusader's - Symbol used by Europeans during the Holy War against the Muslims.

Cross, Egyptian or Coptic - Used by the Gnostics and the Copts, it was devised from the ancient Egyptian symbol, ankh, which symbolizes life.

Cross, Greek - Most commonly known as the symbol adopted by the International Red Cross.

Cross, Jerusalem - Adopted by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is another cross from the Crusades.

Cross, Maltese w/ Firefighter Equipment. - Firefighters Emblem.

Cross, Orthodox, Patriarchal, or Eastern - The top cross bar represents the sign "Jesus Christ, King of the Jews", placed on Jesus' cross by the Romans.

Cross, Presbyterian - Presbyterian Religion.

Cross, Roman or Latin - Came about as a result of the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.

Cross, Southern Cross of Honor - Usually found on the tombstones of Confederate Veterans.

Cross, St. Andrew's - According to legend, when St. Andrew was martyred he claimed he was not worthy to be hung on a cross shaped as Jesus' cross. He requested that this shape be used for his execution.

Crossed Swords - High Ranking Military Person.

Crown - The soul's achievement and the Glory of life after death.

Crown with Cross - In Mississippi it is usually a Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord.